Simmonds (after)
No Monkeying
F. Hegger, American: 1887
Black and white photographic print
15.5 x 19.5 inches, sight
23.5 x 27.5 inches, framed overall
$800
Dogs Playing Poker with Monkey
No Monkeying, 1887
No Monkeying, 1887
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Photographic print after a painting by Simmonds depicting two dogs and a monkey playing poker, in its original custom made frame. The poker-motif frame reads “No Monkeying,” in incised letters, and features raised carved and painted decoration of poker chips and a pair of cards.
The “dogs playing poker” genre was popularized by the American artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge (1844-1934), who initially produced them as promotional advertising items for cigar companies that gave out prints of the paintings. Coolidge’s original paintings are highly sought after. A pair sold at William Doyle Galleries, New York City, February 2005 for $590,000.
Hegger was a publisher active in the late 19th century that also is known to have produced a series of stereoscopic views of city parks and buildings, some of which are in the Robert Dennis Collection of Stereoscopic Views at the Library of Congress.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning and wear. Minor chip to photograph upper margin, not obtrusive. Frame with usual wear.
References:
“Small Town America: Stereoscopic Views from the Robert Dennis Collection, 1850-1920. Names.” Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/nyplhtml/dennAuthors03.html (14 March 2005).